Setting up a wireless printer network

[PapaBear]

We have a new Canon wireless printer and use a wireless router for the 4 or 5 computers in this house. If I run the Window Local Area Network thing, will our comps still connect to the internet through the same router, or do we need a second router?

[biggestmexi]

as far as i know it would be like adding another laptop

[PapaBear]

The router uses WPA2 and the printer says it can use WPS or WCN.

In the printer manual, it shows a window that will pop up during installation. It says, "Prepare a wireless LAN access point. For details, see the access point manual" Problem is, I have no idea what that means. What manual are they talking about?

[styckx]

I was told the party is in this thread.


WHATTATSATATZZZZZZZZUPPPPPPPPP

[biggestmexi]

The router uses WPA2 and the printer says it can use WPS or WCN.

In the printer manual, it shows a window that will pop up during installation. It says, "Prepare a wireless LAN access point. For details, see the access point manual" Problem is, I have no idea what that means. What manual are they talking about?

your acces point i would assume they are talking about your router in it self.

have you tried to power it on yet?

[PapaBear]

your acces point i would assume they are talking about your router in it self.

have you tried to power it on yet?
No. Still trying to understand the instructions. If the router is the access point, I'm still confused. The printer manual says to press the WPS button on the access point, but the router is WPA2. And the only button I'm aware of on it is the reset button.

[MadMatt]

I think you are just getting a little confused. WPS either stands for Wireless Provisioning Service or possibly Wireless Print Server since you are dealing with a wireless printer. WCN just means Wireless Community Network.

WPA2 is the newer version of WPA, which is essentially a network security protocol. Your guide is probably just stating that your printer is up to the new WPA2 standards.

It should be an easier process than it sounds like you are making it. What model of Canon printer are you trying to set up?

[PapaBear]

It's a Canon MX860 (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=123&modelid=18121).

So, do you think it's actually asking me to hit the reset button, or should I just skip that?

[MadMatt]

It's a Canon MX860 (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=123&modelid=18121).

So, do you think it's actually asking me to hit the reset button, or should I just skip that?

I wouldn't reset yet. It should just be a matter of giving your printer a static IP address and then setting up the appropriate ports on your computers.

I'm sorry, but I am a little to tired to think well right now. If you can give me until tomorrow I will track down the instructions and try to give you some guidance. Are you good with that?

[PapaBear]

I wouldn't reset yet. It should just be a matter of giving your printer a static IP address and then setting up the appropriate ports on your computers.

I'm sorry, but I am a little to tired to think well right now. If you can give me until tomorrow I will track down the instructions and try to give you some guidance. Are you good with that?
It's not actually getting set up until tomorrow anyway. It's actually my 79 year old father's printer. He's annoying with new stuff. He won't even fully unpack something new unless he's sure he can set it up. Thanks, bro!

[MadMatt]

OK - from what I read you shouldn't have to do anything to your network. If you have a secure network all you should have to do is enter the password when the printer connects.

For your convenience, I created a PDF of the detailed directions that includes screen shots and exactly what you need to do. They cover both Vista and XP. The file can be downloaded here (http://www.sendspace.com/file/m82lqs) (I used sendspace because they have free file hosting).

Getting everything started is the hardest part, and i think the directions can sometimes make things more confusing than they actually are. The Canons I have used walk through setup pretty easily and don't usually get stuck or fail setup like HP all-in-ones tend to.

I'll probably check in and out today, so let me know if you have any other questions. I will help if I can. :wink:

[boosterp]

OK - from what I read you shouldn't have to do anything to your network. If you have a secure network all you should have to do is enter the password when the printer connects.

For your convenience, I created a PDF of the detailed directions that includes screen shots and exactly what you need to do. They cover both Vista and XP. The file can be downloaded here (http://www.sendspace.com/file/m82lqs) (I used sendspace because they have free file hosting).

Getting everything started is the hardest part, and i think the directions can sometimes make things more confusing than they actually are. The Canons I have used walk through setup pretty easily and don't usually get stuck or fail setup like HP all-in-ones tend to.

I'll probably check in and out today, so let me know if you have any other questions. I will help if I can. :wink:

Wow! A networking guru. I was going to add that the printer is PnP meaning that once on your router will detect it, after that it should be realitively easy.

[biggestmexi]

Wow! A networking guru. I was going to add that the printer is PnP meaning that once on your router will detect it, after that it should be realitively easy.

thats why i asked if he plugged it in yet.

most of the time with computer peripheral i never read the manuals and just plug in and power on

does the trick for me

[PapaBear]

OK - from what I read you shouldn't have to do anything to your network. If you have a secure network all you should have to do is enter the password when the printer connects.

For your convenience, I created a PDF of the detailed directions that includes screen shots and exactly what you need to do. They cover both Vista and XP. The file can be downloaded here (http://www.sendspace.com/file/m82lqs) (I used sendspace because they have free file hosting).

Getting everything started is the hardest part, and i think the directions can sometimes make things more confusing than they actually are. The Canons I have used walk through setup pretty easily and don't usually get stuck or fail setup like HP all-in-ones tend to.

I'll probably check in and out today, so let me know if you have any other questions. I will help if I can. :wink:
Your advice helped him to get the printer working. He was still having trouble with the whole networking thing, so he reluctantly called Canon Tech Support. He said she was in their center in Chesapeake, VA, spoke English with no accent, stayed on the phone and completely walked him through EVERYTHING, step by step, and everything is fine. Did you hear that? Virginia... USA... ENGLISH... HELPFUL...

Amazing.

Thanks for the help, guys.